No welding required
The fuselage uses square aluminum tubing with bolted flat plate gussets.
Official Affordaplane Website
Build an Airplane You Can Truly Call Your Own
The Affordaplane is a simple, proven ultralight aircraft designed for homebuilders using common tools, straightforward construction methods, and a build-as-you-go approach.
Is it right for me?
For builders who want a hands-on airplane project
The Affordaplane is intended for people who want to build and fly their own lightweight aircraft using common tools, straightforward aluminum construction, and a proven design. Whether you are new to homebuilding or have previous experience, the goal is to make aircraft construction approachable without unnecessary complexity.
Why builders like it
Simple, practical, and personal
Common tools
Cut, drill, file, sand, and assemble with ordinary shop and hand tools.
Aluminum construction
The design uses aluminum structure with Dacron-covered flying surfaces.
Build at your pace
Dave designed the project so builders can work as time, space, and budget allow.
The A-Plane
A grassroots single-seat airplane with a long history
For over 25 years, the Affordaplane sport aircraft has helped people work toward their dream of flight safely and inexpensively. The A-Plane, as it is commonly called, is a single-seat, all-aluminum design powered by a 35 to 40 horsepower motor.
It is intended for people who want a fun, simple flying machine and who want the confidence that comes from knowing an aircraft they built themselves.
Read the full aircraft overview
Aircraft numbers
Key specifications
| Wingspan | 27.5 feet |
|---|---|
| Wing area | 117 square feet |
| Length | 17 feet, 3 inches |
| Empty weight | 254 pounds |
| Gross weight | 540 pounds |
| Engine | 35 to 40 horsepower |
| Stall / cruise / VNE | 27 mph stall, 65 mph cruise, 85 mph never exceed speed |
| Takeoff / landing roll | 150 feet takeoff roll and 150 feet landing roll |
Final aircraft weight, performance, and regulatory eligibility depend on the builder's materials, equipment, engine, workmanship, and configuration. The official plans and applicable regulations control the build; do not assume every completed aircraft automatically qualifies under FAR Part 103 or as an Experimental Amateur-built Aircraft that qualifies as Light-Sport.
Builder aircraft
Real Affordaplanes Built by Builders
Shawn Wiedenhoeft
Built in a one-car garage over about four years, with builder-made choices including wings, landing gear, and a half VW engine.
Robert Kroemer
Started building in 2017 in Australia and later described the finished aircraft as easy to land and a credit to the design.
Jason Woodford
Built his airplane in a one-car garage in 2020 with simple tools and support from the Affordaplane community.
From Dave Edwards
Designed to help people fly
"I designed and flew the Affordaplane ultralight airplane starting back in 1999, and my life's dream and mission has been to help people to fly."
Dave writes like a builder talking to another builder: practical, direct, and optimistic. His goal is not to sell a corporate aircraft program. It is to help regular people understand, build, and fly a simple airplane they know inside and out.
He grew up around airports during the first ultralight boom, and that practical, hands-on spirit still runs through the Affordaplane: simple materials, clear plans, and the confidence that comes from building the airplane yourself.
Official Affordaplane Plans
Your Affordaplane Build Starts With the Plans
Everything you need to begin building your own Affordaplane.
- Construction manual
- Detailed drawings
- Full-size fitting drawings
- Full-size airfoil
- Complete materials list
- Builder support
Community